The end of an era at CMBC
A personal reflection by Gerald Gerbrandt
Dr. Gerald Gerbrandt, President Emeritus
From the late 1950s, until the late 1990s, for roughly 40 years, Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC) experienced a time of remarkable stability and vitality. With numbing suddenness, the last representatives of that era passed from the scene within a single month late this spring.
When I arrived at CMBC as a student in the fall of 1964, CMBC was still a young institution, having been founded only 17 years earlier. Not surprisingly, the early years had been somewhat rocky, with inconsistent leadership and faculty. And yet the CMBC I arrived at felt confident and strong, an exciting place of academic and spiritual discovery.
No doubt those in leadership were more aware of some of its challenges, but from the student standpoint, it felt like a golden age. Our student numbers were somewhat over a 100, with virtually all of us living together in the same building. All unmarried students ate in the dining room where we were served family style meals, guarded over by Annie Janzen, the CMBC head cook for 27 years. With the majority of students from out of province, weekends were times of virtually endless conversation and debate, and some home work.
But most importantly, leading the institution was a group of surprisingly young, dynamic faculty. No doubt not every class was exciting, but on the whole we admired our professors, even holding them in awe. They had prepared at prestigious universities, they were dedicated to us students, they were profoundly committed to the church which owned to CMBC and from which most of us students came.
Three appointments in 1954 were the first steps in this transition to stability and strength for the college. First, directly from Princeton University, CMBC appointed Henry Poettcker, to teach New Testament. That same summer newly married George and Esther Wiebe took over leadership of the music program. The ages of these new hires are striking, as they were only 29, 26 and 22 years of age respectively.
Five years later Henry Poettcker was promoted to President, still only 34 years old. Poettcker was a humble, unpretentious leader with a calm and steady demeanor that allowed him to steer a steady course for CMBC during the turbulent youth movements of the day. His strength was building a faculty, and then giving them freedom to shape the curriculum and philosophy of the school. In recognition of his contribution a residence at the current CMU is named Poettcker Hall.
Five further appointments followed in subsequent years. In 1956 24-year old Waldemar Janzen joined the faculty to teach Old Testament and German. In 1959 David Schroeder, already 35 years old and thus the senior in the group, was appointed to teach New Testament. Margaret Wiens (later Franz), only 22 at the time, also joined the faculty in 1959 to teach piano. Three years later CMBC hired 28-year old Helmut Harder to teach theology; four years later 37-year old Peter Fast with his studies in New Testament and missions completed the group.
Although supplemented by a few others, this was the faculty complement that so impressed me and my fellow students when we arrived at CMBC in the early 1960s. From the student perspective they were already established and senior, yet on reflection I realize that when I arrived at CMBC in 1964 only David Schroeder was 40 years old, with the rest still in their 30s.
For the next 35 years or so this group was the blood and heart of CMBC. Together these eight taught and led for a total of 294 years, an average of roughly 36 years each. I and a few others (Harry Huebner, John J. Friesen, Adolf Ens) joined the faculty in the early 1970s, but we looked up to this senior group as our leaders, our mentors who provided vision and guidance to us younger faculty.
Critical for forming this stable CMBC culture and vision was the weekly faculty meeting. Every Thursday afternoon, generally for two-and-a-half hours, we met to discuss curriculum, philosophy, strategic planning, students, public relations, finances, etc. There were suggestions, especially from some outside of CMBC, that this was an inefficient use of time. And it may have been. But through these meetings, times that included spirited debate and disagreement, we became a team committed to CMBC as an educational program for the Conference of Mennonites in Canada. Not only did we work together, faculty became close friends, and looked forward to times we could party together. Faculty children grew to know each other, and generally also looked forward to get-togethers at Christmas or other occasions. It was a genuine community.
Henry Poettcker left CMBC in 1978 when he took on the presidency of Mennonite Biblical Seminary (MBS), but under the leadership of George K. Epp and then John H. Neufeld, the core remained. Helmut Harder became General Secretary of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada in 1990, but since CMBC faculty were all employees of the conference, with offices in the same building, he very much remained part of the group. At various points faculty members were invited to positions at other institutions, but the commitment to CMBC and its constituency kept the group together.
The first to retire was George Wiebe in 1993, followed by David Schroeder in 1994 and Esther Wiebe in 1996. All three had spent essentially their whole working life at CMBC. The friendship and mutual support within this faculty group continued into retirement as they, and then we, met for coffee and fellowship every Thursday morning at 10:00 AM. When Henry Poettcker retired from his role at MBS, and Helmut Harder from his role at the conference, both rejoined their former colleagues and became regulars at these coffee times. These were times of personal sharing, discussion of current events, and remaining in touch with CMBC and then CMU.
The ending of that era began gradually, through retirements and then death. Henry Poetcker and David Schroder passed away in 2015; Peter Fast in 2021, and Esther Wiebe in 2023. But no one anticipated the jarring close to the era that took place this past spring, as within one month (May 12 – June 12) funerals and memorial services marked the death of the last four of this group.
The first to pass away was Helmut Harder, suddenly on May 7. At his funeral he was remembered as the consummate popularizer of theology. His Introduction to Christian Education course profoundly impacted me as he inspired in me a vision for church. Through his role as co-author of the Confession of Faith in an Anabaptist Perspective he significantly impacted the worldwide Mennonite community.
Waldemar Janzen had been getting weaker for some time already and quietly passed away on May 19. His funeral at First Mennonite recognized his passion for teaching with an ability to make difficult concepts understandable, often through the use of carefully constructed analogies. Possible in an era of smaller student numbers, he also demonstrated a deep interest in and care for the individual student. He was an outstanding scholar, and visionary for CMBC, and mentor to many. His booklet A Basic Educational Philosophy outlined a clear vision for CMBC, one that contributed immensely to the stability CMBC experienced.
Marg Wiens Franz passed away a few months earlier, but her memorial service took place on May 28. Marg may not have been the most vocal in this group, and unfortunately often insufficiently recognized for her important contribution to the school, in the library and bookstore. But she had a way of raising critical questions, often after the faculty meetings, when others might allow their emotions to lead them that was invaluable.
Then on June 5, George Wiebe, the first one hired at CMBC, became the last of the group to pass away. Fittingly, an amazing choir led the funeral service at a filled Bethel Mennonite Church. Tributes recognized his unusual abilities, and at times, quirky style. Two days earlier in the same space the funeral of Elma Wiebe took place. Not part of this faculty group, nevertheless someone else who contributed significantly to the stability of CMBC, serving as its administrative assistant for 14 years (1982–96).
One month—five funerals and memorials services, commemorating the end of a remarkable CMBC era.
Henry Poettcker (CMBC 1954, 1958–1978)
George Wiebe (CMBC 1954–1993)
Esther Wiebe (CMBC 1954–1998)
Waldemar Janzen (CMBC/CMU 1956–2002)
David Schroeder (CMBC/CMU 1959–1994)
Marg Wiens/Franz (CMBC/CMU 1959–2004)
Helmut Harder (CMBC 1962–1990)
Peter Fast (CMBC 1966–1999)